The Senate has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the recurring derailments on the nation’s rail lines and assess the integrity of Nigeria’s railway infrastructure.
The committee, to be chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, is expected to conduct a thorough probe, including a public hearing, into the causes of the frequent derailments, the quality of materials used, and the state of imported rail components, Channels reports.
Lawmakers also mandated the Nigerian Railway Corporation to immediately fix the technical faults responsible for the incidents and restore full operational capacity across the rail network.
As part of its mandate, the committee will examine the terms and utilisation of loans obtained from China for railway projects. It has six weeks to submit its report to the Senate.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Ede Dafinone on Tuesday, over the recent derailment on the Ujevwu-Itakpe train line, which occurred barely four days after service resumed.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed that two of the seven coaches of the Warri–Itakpe train derailed around Agbor, Delta State, at about 7:30 pm on Saturday.
In a statement signed by its Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, the NRC attributed the incident to possible vandalism but assured that no casualties were recorded.
“All passengers were safely evacuated to Agbor, and recovery operations—supported by security personnel—are ongoing,” the statement read.
The Senate said the investigation would help uncover lapses in railway operations, ensure accountability in the use of public funds, and enhance passenger safety nationwide.
